USCG extends merchant mariner credentials
In a post on the Coast Guard Maritime Commons blog, Rear Admiral R. V. Timme, U.S. Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy says that the Coast Guard continues to evaluate the
Safety and Security
VIDEO: Iridium GMDSS service now operational
Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) reports that its long awaited Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service commenced operation on Friday, December 11. Iridium says that, with the launch of the
VIDEO: USCG cutter tows disabled fishing vessel to safety
The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma has safely towed a disabled fishing vessel, located 160 nautical miles East of Nantucket, Mass., to safety. Tahoma received a report at 10:26 p.m. Sunday
USCG issues guidance on commercial vessel cyber risk
In a regulatory update, ABS Group reports that the U.S. Coast Guard has issued a new work instruction (USCG Work Instruction CVC-WI-0270), providing guidance on the USCG commercial vessel compliance program’s approach
Docking pilot’s actions seen as probable cause in tugboat allision with berth
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a Marine Accident Brief on its investigation of a Sept. 23, 2019, incident in which a wharf incurred $1.47 million in damage. The accident occurred
Australia: No more COVID-19 extensions of seafarers’ onboard service
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says that from February 28, 2021 the interim COVID arrangements that have permitted seafarers to serve longer than 11 months on-board ships will end. Under the
Are box ships getting too big to berth safely at some terminals?
An investigation report [M19P0020] just released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada raises important questions about the extent to which the increasing size of containerships poses a threat to safe berthing.
Three more robberies from ships off Singapore
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) reports that, in a six hour period, November 8-9, three ships were the subjects of armed robberies
AMSA orders repatriation of nine seafarers kept too long on board
Nine Chinese and Filipino seafarers, some of who had been on board the Panama-flagged 9,032 dwt general cargo ship Brio Faith for 20 months with no leave, will be reunited with their
INTERCARGO slams charterers for preventing crew changes
Dry bulk operators’ association INTERCARGO reports that it has learned that, in a number of instances, charterers in the dry bulk sector have been preventing much needed crew changes from taking place